Draggers, Trawlers and Traps: A Century of Fishing on the Outer Cape

“Draggers, Trawlers and Traps: A Century of Fishing on the Outer Cape” is a multi-faceted exhibit celebrating the history and legacy of Outer Cape fishermen and the unique history of Truro’s by-gone trap fishing industry.

This exhibition features hand-built scale models by North Truro fisherman Alfred J. Silva and son Mark Silva. These intricate wooden boat models were built between the 1950s and the present day. Vintage models are also on display from the Truro Historical Society collection. The exhibition offers a wealth of information about what it was like to fish the waters off Cape Cod and beyond as told through a display of black and white photos, memorabilia and postcards dating back to the early 1900s.

Rounding out the exhibition is an exhibit of “Fishnet Industries” a local business run by Tiny Worthington who used fishnets to create fashion and home décor, as well as a collection of oil paintings, water colors and lithographs by well-known outer Cape artists. The old “Cold Storage” fish processing plant was painted by Helen Sawyer; William L’Engle captured clammers. There are also paintings by George Yater, Jerry Farnsworth and contemporary painters such as Steven Kennedy, who painted the existing Provincetown fishing fleet this winter, braving the weather to paint en plein air.

The exhibition includes a comprehensive display of the once-thriving trap fishing industry. Trap fishing is part of the Cape’s rich history and many items, vintage photographs, maps and artifacts on display are treasures that have been borrowed for this exhibition from local Truro families.

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Vintage Maps for Sale

The Museum has reproductions of vintage maps of Cape Cod and the Outer Cape for sale. Visit our “Vintage Maps” page to see our collection. Visit the Museum or contact [email protected] for more information.